In a conference call with Minnesota reporters, Lions coach Jim Schwartz left the door open for the possibility that Matthew Stafford might be able to return from his shoulder injury and start on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. However, he closed that door when he spoke to the Detroit media.
From the Freep’s Dave Birkett via Twitter:
Schwartz said Shaun Hill will make his second start this weekend. Stafford said shoulder is doing better but he hasn’t tried throwing yet.
The thought of Stafford playing seemed optimistic, at best. Perhaps Schwartz was waiting to see how Stafford’s shoulder might respond after the players’ usual off-day on Tuesday. Upon coming to Allen Park for practice, however, he was officially ruled out when he didn’t throw.
Hill put up respectable numbers last Sunday against the Eagles, completing 25-of-42 passes for 345 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He faced the Vikings last year with the 49ers, completing 15-of-25 passes for 195 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 27-24 loss.